UK Government to provide support to earthquake affected schools

The UK Government is to provide approximately TZS 6.3 billion (£2.23million) to support school reconstruction following the earthquake in Kagera Region on the 10th September.

This additional support was announced earlier today when the new British High Commissioner to Tanzania – Sarah Cooke – presented her credentials to His Excellency President Magufuli.

It follows a visit to the region by the Honourable Minister of Education Science and Technology, Professor Joyce Ndalichako who was accompanied by Vel Gnanendran, Head of the UK Department for International Development.

These funds will be used rebuild, upgrade and equip Ihungo Secondary School, and enable more than 740 students to resume their education as soon as possible. In addition, the UK Government will also support the rebuilding of the collapsed teachers’ houses at Rugambwa Girls Secondary and High School. These schools were among the most heavily damaged as a result of the earthquake.

The High Commisioner said ‘The UK Government wishes to express its condolences to all those who continue to suffer as a result of this tragedy. We feel it is important to support the Ministry of Education as quickly as possible so that children in Bukoba are not made to suffer further and can resume their education in the shortest time possible. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that the UK will provide additional assistance to ensure education can continue to be provided in this time of crisis in Bukoba.’

The UK Government remains strongly committed to supporting the President of the United Republic on Tanzania in his efforts to improve the quality of education for all Tanzanian children. Background

The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty, deliver the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and tackle global challenges.

Improving the quality of education for Tanzania’s boys and girls is one of DFID’s priorities: committing over £110 million of financial support to the education sector from 2014 to 2018 and supporting more than 545,000 school children.

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